Tyler Skaggs death: Los Angeles Angels pitcher dies aged 27, says team

Police say no foul play expected but provide few other details

Baseball pitcher Tyler Skaggs has been found dead at the age of 27, two days after his last game.

Skaggs’ team, the Los Angeles Angels, said his body was found in a hotel room in Arlington, Texas, were the team was due to play the Texas Rangers. Monday’s game was cancelled.

“It is with great sorrow that we report Tyler Skaggs passed away earlier today in Texas,” the Angels said in a statement.

“Tyler has, and always will be, an important part of the Angels Family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Carli and his entire family during this devastating time.

“There are no other details at this time, please keep Tyler’s family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Skaggs had been a regular in the Angels’ starting rotation since late 2016, when he returned from surgery. He struggled with injuries repeatedly over the past three seasons but persevered to become a valuable starter in Los Angeles’ rotation.

The left-hander had pitched on Saturday, in a game against the Oakland Athletics.

Major league baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said he was “deeply saddened” by Skaggs’ death.

“We will support the Angels’ organisation through this most difficult period, and we will make a variety of resources available to Tyler’s teammates and other members of the baseball family,” he said.

Skaggs was born in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Woodland Hills, in the far western part of the San Fernando Valley.

He graduated from Santa Monica High School in 2009, when the Angels drafted him in the first round.

Police in Texas said officers officers found Skaggs unconscious in a Hilton hotel room, and pronounced him dead on the scene.

“At this time, no foul play is suspected,” the Southlake police department said in a statement.

“This investigation is ongoing and we will release pertinent information as it is available.”

Additional reporting by Associated Press